Device for transmitting and recording telephone messages



April 18, 1933 sAYRE 1,904,298

DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECORDING TELEPHONE MESSAGES Filed May 21 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

April 18, 1933. K. H. SAYRE 1,904,298

DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECORDING TELEPHONE MESSAGES Filed May 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O H N 1\ {Q 1 \x [v I H T T in R i l 2 5% 5 l i i I w? 1 M e 1% k INVENTOR. Q E sa wa klgw Jab Ma ATTORNEYS.

28 has first rung;

35 Fig. 1 is a dia atentedl Apr. 18,, E933 mosr ls -KEHNE'1H HARTLEY taaazas I AT T, 01-P161 3 DEvIcE Ion Msurr'rme mm nEconnmG TELEPHONE MESSAGES i Application filed m 21, 1931. Serial No. 539,081.

5 scribed in such a manner that there are comparatively few parts and, therefore, the machine may be constructed at a low cost, but withoutsacrificing accuracy of operation or durability.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic device for recording telephone messages that may be readily installed at a subscribed station, and which may be operated without any change in the routine of operation or in the apparatus at the telephone exchange.

A further object of this invention is to provide a recording device for a subscribers station that may be constantly left in circuit without interfering with the normal operation of the telephone and which will automatically answer the telephone at any time in case it is not answered in person within a suitable interval after the telephone bell Still another objectof this invention is the provision of an auxiliary recording system that may be used when desired to provide a permanent record of a telephone conversa- Other objects and features of the inven tion will appear, from a consideration of the following descriptionand the drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

am showing the circuits of a preferred em iment of the invention.

I Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 is a top view of the apparatus showing the motor, gear box, the drlving and reversing threads for the announcing diaphragm and themessage shaver, as well as an announcing record and a receiving record in position on the mandrel.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the carscribers telephone which maybe of the dial variety as shown by the diagram 3. The contacts of the telephone are shown as they sammor- NEW YORK, N. Y., assrenon oEroRrv-EwE r'Ea cEN'r w.

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are positioned when the telephone is not in use.

It is general practice in the telephone art to apply an alternating ringing currentto the line when it is desired to signal the subscriber. In the present case the ringing circuit may be traced as follows: froma source of potential at the telephone exchange (not shown) conductor 1, polarized ringer 5, condenser 6, lower contact 7 and hook switch 8, conductor 2 back to the telephone exchan c.

When the telephone is answered and t e receiver is lifted from the hood, the ringing circuit is broken at 7 and 8 and the hook contact makes with its upper contact 9 completing a circuit from conductor 2 through receiver 10, telephone transmitter 11," dial contacts 12 and 13, conductor 4, relay. 70, back to conductor 1. Lifting the receiver connects relay 7 0 in series with the receiver and transmitter and across lines 1 and2.

' The purpose of relay is to disable the recording apparatus in case the telephone is answered. Its operation will be described further. I

In this invention a sensitive non-polarized relay 14 is provided having one of the terminals of its windings connected to line 1 and the other terminal to one side of a condenser 15. The other side of the condenser is connected to the lower contact of the hook switch 7 by means of conductor 16. It will be seen fromthe foregoing that relay 14 is connected in parallel with the telephone ringer circuit between the conductors 1 and 2, and consequently the armature 17 'will be attracted by impulses of either polarity wheneverthe alternating ringing current is sent to the line.

The end of the armature 17 normally engages a cam 18 cut in the outer face of armature 19 of a relay 20. Whenever armature 17 responds to' the pulsations of alternating current passing through relay 14, it will force armature 19 over against the tension of retractible spring 21 towards the polepiece of v relay 20 and the armature 17 will latch itself underthe step 22 to armature 19.

The armature 19 is moved only far enough in this instance to close contacts 23 and 24 which establishes a circuit from conductor 1 through the normally closed contacts 56 and 57, throu h'armature '19, contacts 23 and 24, 0011 25 0 relay 20, through announcer diaphragm 26, the primary of a transformer in a recording diaphragm 27, conductor 16, hook contacts 7 and 8 to conductor 2. Announcing and recording diaphragms. suitable for the purpose of this invention are well known and consequently no particular type described.

When contacts 23 and 24 close, a circuit is established across conductors 1 and 2 which will have the effect of indicating in the telephone exchange that the telephone has been answered in the same manner as would have been indicated if the receiver had been lifted off the hook, whereupon the line will be cleared of the ringing current in the usual manner, and the direct operating current will besent over the line.

Relay 20 has a second winding 35 and a second armature 28. When contacts 23 and 24 close, the normal direct operating current may flow through coil 25. The tension of spring 21 of armature 19 is sufiiciently great so that when coil 25 is energized, 19 does not move, but armature 28 which has a relatively light spring, is operated closing contacts 30 and 31. This completes a circuit from a source of potential 32 through the winding of a thermostat 71, through a series of closed automatic cutoff contacts 33, through the armature and back contact of relay 70, armature 28, contacts 30 and 31, coil back to 32. The closing of the circuit just traced causes current to flow through coil 35 in such a direction that it aids coil 25, then, due to the combined effect of both co1ls, armature 19 is drawn more closely to its pplepiece releasing armature 17, which has en held in operated position until now by the step 22.

The current flowing through the coil of the thermostat causes it to become heated and the contact members 72 and 73 thereof will close after an interval and start the motor by means of a circuit from battery 74, contacts 72 and 73, through motor 34 back to battery 74. The thermostat acts as a means to delay the starting of the motor in order to provide an opportunity to answer the telephone in person before the motor starts. There are a number of well lmown thermostats suitable for the purpose, but an adjustable type is preferred.

The recording and announcing mechanism is arranged as follows:

Motor 34 is mounted on a suitable base. 36. By means of a worm (not shown) mounted on one end of the motor shaft, the motor drives the cross shaft 40 which in turn by means of suitable gearing 41' and 42 at each end of the shaft 40 drives the" reverse threaded feed screws 38 and 39. The feed screws rotate in suitable hearings in the end plate 46. The other end of the motor shaft is usedto drive .a reduction gear enclosed in gear box- 37, and the reduction gear in turn is used to revolve a mandril on which the announcing record and the recording record 43 are placed. In place of a gear train a suitable belt drive might be used.

Directly above shaft 39 and parallel therewith is a tubular shaft 45 which is held by supporting members 46 and 47 attached to the base 36. Shaft 45 serves as a support on which the carriers for the announcing diaphragm 26 and the recording diaphragm 27 may slide. The carriers for both the announcing and the recordingdiaphra ms are indicated in Figs.'3 and 5 by 77 an 78, respectively. In the present embodiment they are shown as a strip of metal, in one end of which are holes through which the diaphragm casing is attached by means of screws 50. In the announcing diaphragm support 7 7 the other end of the strip may be bifurcated, as shown in the drawin and the two legs 51 and 52 may be bent ownward and then over as shown in Fig. 4 in order to produce the angle or ste 53, and then curved so as to closely encirc eshaft 45, but at the same time being freely rotatable thereon and slideable in a longitudinal direction.

The recording diaphragm support. 78 is shown with its bifurcated ends curved closely over and then around shaft 45 so as to be freely rotatable and movable thereon in an endwise direction without appreciable side play. No step similar to that provided on the announcing diaphragm support is reuired on 78, which is returned manually to t e beginning of the record, either for the purpose of reproducing a message or recording a new message. The object of curving 78 over shaft 45 is to prevent its engagement with the carrier 54 when the recording diaphragm is near the beginning of the record. This arrangement permits announcing records of different lengths to be used without the necessity of adjusting the apparatus.

thread with the adjacent terminals of a superposed left hand thread forming a continuous channel.

A carrier 54 (Figs. 2 and 5 is associated with the threaded section of shaft 39. In a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, shaft 39 is passed through the carrier and a lug 60 is provided to engage the threads on the shaft. The upper side of the carrier is cut with a gentle slope, the higher end of which is nearest the motor. The

lower part of the carrier clears the step 53 of 'which terminates in the stop 55, if driven under the step 53 of the diaphragm support, will lift the needle clear of the record and carry the announcing diaphragm back to the beginning of the record. A channel 6162- rut in one side of the carrier rides freely over a fixed rod or bar 53, suitably secured in the end plates 46 and 47 and serves to keep the carrier from rotating with the shaft. i

A series of autom-atic cutoff switches 33 are shown arranged at suitable intervals along shaft 45. In the present embodiment they are shown as projecting from the surface of shaft 45 which is a convenient arrangement as the tube may be used for a conduit for the wires, but'obviously other arrangements may be used. For example, the switching might be arranged outside of the shaft, the only requirement being that the switches be connected in series and that they be operated by means of the recording diaphragm carrier and that they make contact immediately after contact is broken. No particular type of switch is shown, as there are numerous well known varieties suitable for the purpose.

The invention operates as follows:

When the alternatingcurrent ringing signal is sentfrom the exchange on the lines 1 and 2. it operates relay 14 which is in series with the condenser 15 and bridged across lines 1 and 2.. Armature 17 engages. the cam 18 on armature 19 and locks contacts 23 and 24 closed when it latches itself under the step 22. On closing contacts 23 and 24 a circuit is closed across lines 1 and 2 which indicates at the telephone exchange that the subscriber. has answered in the same manner as would have been indicated if the receiver had been lifted from the hook. The normal direct current supplied to lines 1 and 2 energizes relay 2O sufliciently to operate the armature 28, but owing to the heavier spring tension, armature 19 is not affected. When contact makes with 31, current will flow through winding of relay 20 in such a direction that it will aid winding 35 moving the armature 19 more closely to its polepiece and unlatching armature 17 which under influence of its spring moves back to its unoperated position where it will remain until it is attracted by some subsequent alternating current ringing signal. Contacts 23.and 24 remain closed during this operation. 'When .contacts 30 and 31 close they look themselves in by a circuit from a local source of poten-l tial 32, and at the same time the circuit is closed from battery 32 through coil 35, contacts 30 and 31, armature 28, armature and back contact of the relay 70, through a series of closed automatic cutoff contacts 33 through the Winding 71 of the thermostat back to the other side of battery 32, closing contacts 72" and 73 and starting motor 34.

As previously stated the thermostat is used to delay the operation of the apparatus in order to afford the subscriber an opportunity to answer the telephone. The thermostat may be adjusted to close contacts to suit the particular requirements of the subscriber. For example, it might be desirable to have the apparatus go into operation almost immediately, or else in some cases it might bemore advantageous for the telephone to be kept ringing for a considerable time be- 7 fore the apparatus is put into operation and the telephone mechanically answered.

After the motor has been started, the announcing diaphragm which had been left in position at the beginning of the announcing record by its carrier 54 at the last previous operation, follows the thread of the record,

or is fed by their suitable feeding means until it comes into contact with that portion of the announcing record on which some suitable message is recorded, for example,

some statement to inform the caller that no one is available to answer the telephone. and to ask him to give any message he may care to leave. As the announcing record finishes its message, the announcing diaphragm has followed the convolutions of the record, and

has been carried to the right. In the meantime the carrier 54, which has preceded the announcing diaphragm, continues its travel toward the right until the reverse thread begins to move it in the opposite direction.

The lower endof the carrier passes under the step 53 on the announcer support, and

as the carrier is fed backward the announcer needle is lifted clear of the record and the announcer rides back on the carrier to the beginning of the record. The duration of the return trip of the announcing diaphragm is governed by the pitch of the return thread on shaft 39, and is equal to one half of the no entire announcing and recording time.

For the purpose of explanationwe will assume that a new recording record 43 was in position in the machine and that the needle of the recording diaphragm was in engagement with the extreme left end of the threaded section thereof when the announcing-diaphragm started to deliver its message. Since both records are on the same mandril and the announcing and recording diaphragms are in series andthe respective needles are in engagement with their records at the same time, it will be seen that the announcement is recorded on the receiver. When the announcement is completed and the carrier has started to return the announcing diaphragm to the beginning of the announcing record, then the receiving record is ready ulator cutofi switches 33 placed at intervals along the shaft 45 and adapted to beoperated by the recording diaphragm coming into engagement with any of them, in which case the circuit will be broken for an instant and then restored. The operation of any switch 33 will break the locking circuit through coil 35 of relay 20 permitting armature 19 tofall back since the current through coil 25 is not sufficient to hold this armature in operated position. Armature 28 also moves back under the influence of spring 29, opening the circuit through coil. 35 at a second point so that relay 20 will not lock up when the automatic cutoff contact'33 is restored. When current is cut off from winding 71, contacts 72 and 73 will open shortly after stopping the motor.

The recording diaphragm remains positioned on the record at the point where it was when the driving motor was stopped by the operation of the automatic cut off switch. These switches are so positioned that the motor will be stopped immediately after the announcing diaphragm has been returned to the beginning of its record and its needle is in position to repeat the announcement after the receipt of thenext ringing signal. When the next call is received a similar cycle of operation takes place, except that the receiving diaphragm records the new message further along on the record. Additional messages may be recorded in the same manner until the record is filled.

When the record is nearly filled and just as the needle of the recording diaphragm has passed through the area allotted to the last message, the recording diaphragm will engage and hold open contacts 56 and 57., and these contacts will remain open until the dia phragm is manually moyed either for the purpose of reproducing the recorded mes sages or when it is placed at the beginning of a fresh record. The messages may be reproduced at any time by moving the recording diaphragm to the desired positionpn the record and then starting the motor by means of switch 80. The recording diaphragm in this case serves as a reproducing unit with air column or velectrical signal receiving means (not shown).

As long as contacts 56 and 57 are open the ringing signal will be inefi'ective to establish a circuit between lines 1 and 2, so consequently it will be indicated in the telephone exchange that the call is not answered.

Any time after the subscriber has been called, and before calling party has hung up, the telephone may be answered in the usual manner. hen the receiver is removed, the

hook 8 makes with its upper contact 9, connecting the telephone receiver and transmitter as well as relay across lines .1 and 2. As soon as the ringing current is cut ed at the telephone exchange and the direct operating current is supplied, relay 70 is enerreoaeea gized, opening its contacts, disabling relay 20 as well as the thermostat operating current, and this in turn opens the motor operating circuit. In case the motor has already started and either of the diaphragms are in operation, the circuit operates in the same way and a telephone conversation may be carried on in the usual manner.

If it is desired to record a person to person conversation, the switch 80 may be thrownto the right. This will insure the continuous ,operation of motor 34: as long as the switch remains in this position, and at the same time the recording diaphragm willbe connected across lines 1 and 2 thus recording the conversation in either direction. In case it is desired to break in to answer a call after the recording diaphragm has started to operate, the switch 80 may be thrown to the right before the receiver is removed from the hook and the motor will continue to run and a complete record will be made of the call, both before it was personally answered as well as thereafter.

When a record is filled and the messages have been heard, it may be desirable to remove the used surface of the record in order to avoid changing records. Shaft 38 drives a message shaver 58 by means of a reverse screw thread. The message shaver is pro vided with suitable means for adjusting the position .of the cutter relatively to the rec 0rd, but normally the cutter is backed ofi' so that it does not engage the record.

In all cases where the word diaphragm is used, armature. or designations for other means of recording may be substituted.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from a central station, a normally open telephone transmitter and receiver circuit, adapted to be manually closed, a telephone ringing device circuit, and an auxiliary recorder circuit, said three circuits being connected to said conductors at all times, said ringing circuit and said auxiliary circuit being energized substantially simultaneously and automatic means to delay operation of said aux iliary recorder for a substantial period after said energization.

2. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from a central station, a normally open telephone transmitter and receiver circuit, adapted to be manually closed, a telephone ringing de vice circuit. and an auxiliary recorder circuit, said three circuits being connected to said conductors at all times, said ringing circuit and said auxiliary circuit being energized while said open circuit has not been closed and thermostatic means to delay actuation of said auxiliary recorder for a substantial period subsequent to said energization.

* a recording diaphragm also associated with 3. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from a. central station, a normally open telephone transmitter and receiver circuit, adapted to be manually closed, a telephone ringing device circuit, and an auxiliary recorder circuit, said three circuits being connected to said conductors at all times, said ringing circuit being energized and said ringing device being actuated before said receiver and said recorder, and automatic means to delay actuation of said auxiliary recorder a substantial time after actuation of said ringing device, the open circuit receiver belng manually ac the operation of said auxiliary recorder to energize it only after a substantial delay upon energization of said auxiliary circuit.

5. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from acentral station, a normally open telephone transmitter and receiver circuit, adapted to be manually closed, a telephone ringing device circuit, and an auxiliary recorder circuit, said three circuits being connectdd to said conductors at all times, and said ringing and said auxiliary circuits being simultaneously energized and adjustable automatic means to delay the operation of the auxiliary recorder a substantial period after said .energlzation.

6. In a device of the character described,

a telephone circuit, telephone apparatus associated with said circuit, automatic announcing and recording mechanism having a recording diaphragm also associated with said circuit, a record on which a plurality of messages may be recorded andmeans operated by the recording diaphragm for disabling the announcing and recording apparatus after a predetermined number. of messages have been recorded.

7. In a device of the character described, a telephone circuit, telephone apparatus associated with said circuit, automatic announcing and recording mechanism-having \said circuit, a record on which a plurality of messages may be recorded, and means operated' by said recording diaphragm for indicating a dont answer condition after a predetermined number of messages have been recorded.

8. In a device of the character described, a telephone circuit, telephone apparatus associated with said circuit, automatic an nouncing and recording mechanism also associated with said circuit, a record on which a plurality of messages may be recorded, and means for indicating a dont answer condition on said telephone circuit after a predetermined number of messages have been recorded.

9. In a device of the character described diaphragm therefor, \a receiving record and a recording diaphragm, a common shaft supporting both of said diaphragms, a plurality of cut-off switches arranged along said shaft and adapted to be operated by said recording diaphragm, means for restoring said announcing diaphragm to its initial position at the time any of said cut-oil switches may be operated.

10. In a telegraphone, an announcing record and an announcing diaphragm therefor, areceiving record and a recording diaphragm, a common shaft supporting both of said diaphragms, a plurality of cut-ofli' .switches arranged along said shaft and adapted tobe operated by said recording dia; phragm, means comprising a reversethreaded shaft for restoring said announcing diaphragm to its initial position at the time that any of said cutofl" switches may be operated' 11. In a device of the character described, a telephone circuit telephone apparatus associated with said circuit, message recording apparatus also associated with said circuit, and means comprising a relay for disabling said recording apparatus when the telephone receiver is removed from its hook.

12. In a device of the character described, a telephone circuit, telephone apparatus assdciated .with said circuit, automatic announcing and recording apparatus also associated with said circuit, manually operated switching means for disabling said'announcing apparatus and operatingsaid rean announcing record and an announcing,

cording apparatus when the telephone is answered in person.

13. In a device of the character described, -a telephone circuit, te ephone apparatus therefor, recording apparatus, normally automatically operated associated therewith, means operated by the telephone hook switch for disabling said recording apparatus, and manually operated means for preventing said recording apparatus from being sojdisabled. i

14. In a device of the character described. a telephone vcircuit, telephone apparatus therefor, automatically operated announcing and 'recording apparatus associated therewith, means operated by the telephone .hook switch for disabling said announcing and recording apparatus, and switching means for rendering said recording apparatus effective when so disabled.

15. In a device of the character described, an arrangementof conductors leading from. a central station, a normally open telephone transmitter and receiver circuit, a normally closed telephone ringing circuit, and a nor mally open auxiliary receiver circuit, all adapted to be connected across said conductors, said circuits being so arranged that closure of said auxiliary circuit Will cut out the ringing circuit'while closure of said transmitter and receiver circuit will ,cut out the auxiliary circuit.

16. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from the central station, a ringing circuit connected across said conductors, a manual transmitter and receiver circuit adapted to be connected across said conductors, an automatic transmitter and receiver circuit adapted to be connected across said conductors, and automatic means actuated upon passage of a ringing current through said ringing circuit to connect said automatlc transmitter and receiver circuit across said conductors.

17. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from the central station, a ringing circuit connected across said conductors, a manual transmitter and receiver circuit adapted to be connected across said conductors, an automatic transmitter and receiver circuit adapted to be connected across said conductors, automatic means actuated upon passage of a ringing current through said ringing circuit to connect said automatic transmitter and receiver circuit across said conductors and means actuated upon connection of the mans ual transmitter and receiver circuit to disconnect the automatic receiver and transmitter circuit.

18. In a device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from a central station, a ringing circuit normally connected across said conductors, a plurality of normally open transmitter and receiver circuits also connected across said conductors, one of said receiver and transmitter combinations being automatically actuated and the other being manually actuated, means to close the automatically actuated circuit upon passage of a ringing current through the ringing circuit and means to disconnect said automatic transmitter and receiver circuit after passage of current therethrough for a predetermined period of time.

across said conductors, a receiver thereupon, relay means actuated upon operation of said ringing circuit to close said auxiliary circuit, a recording means associated with said receiver, an independent local circuit actuating said recording means, anotherindependent circuit associated with said auxiliary receiver circuit, and means on said last circuit to vretard initiation of operation of said recorder and the stop operation of said recorder.

20. In a'device of the character described, an arrangement of conductors leading from a central station, a normally open telephone transmitter and receiver circuit, a normally closed telephone ringing circuit, an auxiliary normally open automatic transmitter and receiver circuit connected across said conductors, and means actuated upon passage of current, through said ringing circuit to close said auxiliary circuit, said auxiliary circuit being associated with means to place both the transmitter and the receiver in the circuit and with means to disengage the transmitter substantially before disengagement of the recelver.

Signed at New York in the county of New 

